Tag: market

This is the question that popped into my mind as I saw a Facebook ad leading to an iTunes Album I have previously bought four of songs from (this one). I bought the songs on my iPhone from the iTunes Music store.

I instantly started thinking how could had Apple (or Facebook for that matter) target me so well. I can now see three possible explanations here:

Sheer coincidence. Maybe … just maybe … Apple happened to market that album to the demographic group I happen to be in. Facebook had just shown me an ad pointing to the exact album I had purchased some songs from. Those 4 songs out more that 20 million songs currently available on iTunes. Not very likely, I presume.

Apple and Facebook started an partnership and are now sharing user data. That means that right now Facebook may have access to my contacts, application data I use, purchase history, browsing history and others. Apple has access to my Facebook data, off-iOS related browsing history, Facebook related purchase intent and so on. More likely.

Apple is using data from my Apple account to remarket products on other web platforms. Such as Facebook. This might mean that Apple is not actually sharing data but might be using data collected on the iOS to target users on other platforms. I believe there is an automated marketing system setup on Facebook for ads that run and target users based on their previous purchase history. Very likely

Apple is using application data to target users. Possibly without express consent from the Apple Developers. I use different emails for Facebook and Apple login. This got me thinking about possible data usage by Apple without express consent from Facebook – or other developers. As I believe an integration with Facebook Ads would be impossible in this case without a partnership between the two companies. I would rather rule this one out.

Apple-Facebook partnership highly probable

Having two of the fastest and largest growing technology companies partnering is pretty much amazing in terms of products they could develop. However several privacy and monopoly questions might arise. Apple was part of a privacy controversy in 2010, regarding the iOS 4 privacy policy:

“The revised policy states that Apple has the right to share this information with 3rd parties who provide services to the customer, including advertising and promotion services. Apple also states that “it may be necessary” to provide this [real-time] information in response to “requests from public and governmental authorities within or outside your country of residence or if [Apple] determines that for purposes of national security, law enforcement, or other issues of public importance, disclosure is necessary or appropriate…. Additionally, in the event of a reorganization, merger, or sale we may transfer any and all personal information we collect to the relevant third party.”

The revised policy does not make any distinction between warrant-based and warrantless searches, nor provide what criteria would trigger the sharing of personal real-time information with government entities, nor allow an opt-out for the location-based information.”

Apple, and all the other technology companies for that matter, don’t really deal well with privacy. Mark Zuckerberg is known for stating that the age of privacy is over.

While that might be true and the younger generations are letting go of old-timey privacy concerns I still want my data taken care of with a bit of responsibility. After all I am a paying customer to Apple and not just a target for advertising. While I do appreciate a more contextual advertising as opposed to classic mass communication I believe I and all the other Apple users have the right to share our my information to whomever I choose.

Is there more to the Facebook-Apple partnership?

On one hand we have Apple with more than enough cash than it needs (110 billion dollars to be more precise). On the other hand we have one extremely high potential technology company that might change the way humans interact and is not doing very well on the stock market right now (Facebook stocks have dropped 47% from the IPO and keep going down).

Apple can take advantage on the blow Facebook took on the market and buy stocks that, in my opinion, are sure to rise again. Facebook could do really well with such an unexpected help. Both companies would benefit from such a move:

Apple is reaching a innovation plateau and it needs a young, visionary leader or product that might replace Jobs. Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg could fill the gap. Although Zuckerberg is still young and inexperienced he has a certain charisma that could develop in the future. Apple fans need an icon, they need innovation. Also – let’s not forget that Facebook is an one billion users market that Apple could turn into consumers.

Facebook is not harnessing the huge potential it has. Facebook gaming, social commerce, mobile are all things that are there but the Facebook team cannot yet capitalize on the growth. Apple is doing really well in all those areas and could share some of the knowledge.

In the end – maybe Apple will not take over Facebook but such a move would benefit both companies and is sure to add at least 10-15 years in the spotlight for them. Unfortunately such a technology behemoth will not be taken lightly by the Federal Trade Commision so the two will have to find ways to find ways to address this.